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It has been 21 years between games in London for the Detroit Lions, but considering the NFL's surging popularity, their next trip overseas might come sooner than they think.

Lions president Tom Lewand spoke openly Wednesday about the possibility of having an NFL franchise in London.

Lewand declined to put a timetable on when that could happen, but it's something the league has been working toward since it started its International Series in 2007.

"It's hard to pinpoint a time line," Lewand said. "But knowing the fact that there's a lot of effort and energy being put into it gives me sense that there will be some finality to it one way or the other in the coming years."

On Tuesday, a British politician told the London Evening Standard that he has had "top-level talks" about bringing a team to London.

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The Detroit Lions held their first practice of London week at the Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014.

The Lions play the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, the 10th regular-season game to be played in England in the past seven years.

"There are 32 teams in America — and one of them could be a London team," Chancellor George Osborne told the Evening Standard. "That's a serious prospect."

Though London is hardly overrun with football fever, Lewand said the Lions have enjoyed their first two days in England.